Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-14
DISEASED ANIMALS.
Where, How and by whom They May
be Killed.

ATTORNEY RIDDLE HAS THE CASE OF LIEUT.. sLAcK's
HORSE REFERRED TO HIN, AND GIVES AN TX
HAUsrIvE REVIEW OF THE LAWS BEARING ON TIE
CASE.
Several branches OF the District government
and the Humane Society are now mixed up In the
controversy over the gianders, started by Agent
Key. Of the Humane Society. Agent Key began
several weeks ago campaign against the gland
ers which he claimed existed among District
horses to dangerous extent. Finally he struck
horse belonging to Lieut.. Slack which ne claimed
had farcy, and ought to be killed. Lieut. Slack
appealed to Col. Ludlow, and the engineer
department OF the District took an interest in the
case. Through Col. Ludlow Major Moore, OF the
police department, and Mr.. Riddle, the attorney
Tor the District have been brought into the con-
troversy. AS stated In THE STAR yesterday, the
health department has also come into the field.
I This department. wrote letter to Mr.. Key, pub
nsned IN TIE STAR yesterday, on account OF COM
plants made by business men occupying premises
adjacent to an alley near the Baltimore and
ported as glandered. All the the energies OF
the District government seem to be directed
Mr. Key from n
him unless he disconIinues the practice Of Killing
inquiry was made Of Mr. Key by the police de-
partment by what law he killed horses. Mr.. Key
replied that he killed them with pistol and not
question was referred to Dr. d. E. salmon Of the
Bureau OF Animal Industry, and he sent two ex-
found no symptoms indicating farcy but advised
that the animal be carefully watched TO wheth-
er symptoms were developed. Mr.. Key yester-
day had an interview with the District Commits
sloners, and arranged for a hearing before them.
He says he wants to have It settled by whom,
to killed. s Se
ton is grave, and that the people ought to
be aroused to a knowledge OF the fact that an ep-
| n Ylo ondn &c, trn
STAR reporter to-day that he has not killed any
horse without FIRST having the opinion OF a COM
petent veterinarian. and then the consent Of the
owner, ana the insurance company II the horse
was insured. Offcials at the health ONCE, on the
other hand, claim that Mr. Key decides too quickly
lieve It. The health offce objects to Mr. Key going
ABOUT with his pistol and shooting horses In pub
nc places Horses killed by direction Of the health
ONCE are taken to Draney's wharf to be shot, and
from there their bodies taken from the District
some weeks ago. as stated above, Commits
VIM. II. Slack, OF the Army, complaining that
pl:vany,, hr; Ksy, the agent agent Of The Society for the
the ground that Il WAS afiietsd with farcy, or
glarders Lieut.. Slack desired the Intervention Of
the Commissioners, and stated that the horse was
not af1icted with the disease, as stated. At the
same time the health ONCE sent In report on the
matter, with the request that the CHIEF OF the
bureau or animal Industry, In the Department OF
Agriculture, be asked 20 examine and report upon
the cases.
Ii. SLACKS HORSE NOT AFFLICTED WITH FARCY
OR CHAMBERS.
The Commissioners wrote DR.. Salmon, chief Of
| the Bureau, as desired. and two inspectors were
detailed, independently, to examine the ANIMAL
and both reported that they found no symptoms
indicating that IT was case OF farcy; that the
will recover W. c. Kempt0n, a veterinary sur
geOn, was also called upon, and he reported that
the horse was "on the high way to recovery"
AGENT KEYS LETTER TO THR CHIEF OF POLICE.
n II
OF police, In defense OF his action. Col Moore had
however, been instructed to prevent Key from ac-
cOmplishing his purpose Of killing the animal
Mr. Key, In his letter, said that veterinarians
throughout the world, not only XIII the animals
affected with thiSdSease, but quarantine others
that have come In contact with the sick one and
burn the shed or barn containing the diseased
animal. He stated that when he finds a horse
sick with either rarcy or glanders he at takes
| IL "to competent veterinary surgeon who orders
II DESTROYED, and he shoots IL In order 10
protect the lives OF other horses and OF their
ters as well, 1t being contagious to both man and
beast Mr.. Key also states in his letter, which Is
dated september 10, that he has just met Mr.. G.
A: Blundon, a contractor, whose stables are in
West Washington, and he Informed him (Key) that
he had lost seven horses In the last three weeks
from farcy. His horses were insured In the Penn
syf<apfa Live stock Company, and .its business
manager, Mr. {. II. Mann, Mi. Key alleges, in
to be killed. and the se torn DOWN anS nuroeS
Mr. Key concluded his letter by asking that ain
View OF the fact that we are on the verge OF an
Lieut.. sIacks horse be Examined BY the Districts
and the Humane Society's veterinary surgeon
land II adju iged to be i'll from either or the above
diseases kill tt?"
The Commissioners, however, were satisfied
from the report OF the inspectors that Lieut. SlackS
horse did not have the ganders or farcy. On Oc-
tOber Col. Ludlow wrote Mr.. A. @. Riddle, attOr-
ney for the District, OF the aforementioned TACT
and requested him 10 examine such laws as may
relate 10 this matter II any, and see whether the
agent or the Humane Society," or the 8. p c. A. or
any other individual Is empowered to kill horse
ISe aSsen ar b or r AT ad with
nation and finding. He also asked; "Can he Ihe
agent OF the Humane society destroy any animal
by him deemed affected with an incurable cOnta-
gl0uS disease under THESE cOnditiOns?"
OPINION OF ATTORNEY RIDDLE.
Mr.. Riddle replies under date or october IL.
| After stating the question, he goes on to say:
II do not suppose that his [Agent Key'sI ofllcial
character has much to do with the question A
reference to the laws OF Congress- Of the later Dis
trict legislature the ordinances OF the corporation
OF washington and OF the late Board OF Health Is
70 an answer 81 he 9clety
The principal power in the way OF prosecution Is
found In section s. by which any member VINO sees
| Q police ofhcer and have the offender arrested
without warrant. The 4th section authorizes by
laws which. among members OF the association,
have the force OF an act OF Congress. These by.
laws In no way extend to outside parties or their
property. BY act OF March B. 1873, Congress regu-
lated the transportation OF animals by railroad
generally which c0nferS no special powers on the
association.
| THE LAW FOR SUPPRESSION OF PLEURo-PNRUMoNrA
The eighth section OF the act OF May %, 1884,
| authorizes the Commissioners to prescribe regula-
Tons for thu. suppression OF pleuro-pneumonia in
the District, and for that purpose to destroy the
| infected animals. The law requires inspection
and examination by experts, Of course, whose
findings are judicial In their nature and must pre-
cede EXECUTION OF their sentence in o given case
The language OF this provision seems broad
enough to authorize regulations by the Commis-
SionerS that may include any and all animals In.
nected with communicable diseases.
| THE DOG LAW.
The board Of health, by section twenty-five OF its
| ordnance affirmed by Congress- compelled the
| owners OF dogs to muzzle them during certain
times, and also to kill their dogs gone mad or
showing symptoms OF rabies, or which have been
bitten by hydiophobic dog: Unmuzzled dogs
may be empOunded and killed unless redeemed
within twenty-fOur hours.
THE OLD CORPORATION LAW As TO GLANDERs
The corporation OF Washington required the
| owners OF animals affected with glanders or any
| contagious disease, under penalty named to Sc
| cure or destroy the same, as may be deemed best
and an order which, the owner refuses to exc
| cute, an Officer NAV.
The District legislature august % 1s7l,) passed
Q comprehensve act for the projection of animals
tacts LIST ses., p. 1857 This act does not enlarge
the powers OF the association nor require the death
| fecttOusly diseased. No other legislation In the
premises Is brought to my notice.
man may defend himself, his family, or any
person from the assault OF q mad dog, or any en-
ragged beast, BY Aaying the assailant at common
law.